Mayberry32

The more I read, the more confused I get about what size tires are best for me. I have a 2013 Focus Izalco Pro. It's almost time to change the tires and I've seen there is a general shift to most going to 25c tires on their road bikes for better rolling resistence and greater comfort at lower pressures. So, I ordered the Continental 4000sII's in a 700x25c. I'm 6'1" and weigh just 200 lbs.

Then, I readarticles like this (BEST ROAD BIKE TIRES | In The Know Cycling ) that describe ordering a 25c tire on a standardrim as a really idea for aerodynamics, rolling resistance and puncture/flat resistance. I've used the search option and read older posts. I've read numerous articles, and I just can't figure out if it matters. I don't race. I'm 37 yrs old and ride for stress relief and weight loss. I'm down 25 lbs since early summer. However, I ride 100 miles or more a week, and I'm constantly trying to improve my times. So, I'd ratyer have a slightly rougher ride, if it means I'd sacrifice speed to go to a larger tire. My rims are stock OEM that came on my bike. They are Fulcrum 4.5 cpx wheels. 15c internal width. Is a Conti 25c tire fine, or would I be better off with a 23? To make matters more confusing, the tires that came on my bike are 24c....right in the middle of my current options.

Sorry for the newbie question. I'm just trying to learn and I keep finding conflicting information.

cale

Your guess is as good as mine. I have 23's on one bike and 25's on another. They're equivalent in terms of weight and design and neither is faster or, to my disappointment, makes me faster.

Robius

25c 4000Sii is one of the best tyres you can buy. There is no reason to think about a 23c IMHO.

Bike Gremlin

I ride 28 mm tyres on a (narrow) road bike rim - no problems. Softer ride, less punctures. Rim manufacturers will give a recommendation of what can fit their rims (min-max width and min-max pressure).

As far as aero goes - if you're not racing, I wouldn't sweat it - aero, or weight. It's a marginal difference from 23 to 25. The greatest difference felt up to 28 mm is comfort, IMO.

rms13

Like most upgrades, the most noticeable difference will be in the weight of your wallet

Sy Reene

Stick with the 25s for your weight. Some tire pressure calculators would indicate that if you had 23s you're ideal PSI would be 140 in the rear (which is probably higher than most tires are rated for). With a 25, recommendation is 119psi in the rear which is doable.

datlas 

You made the right choice.

revchuck 

For a given tire, there's no downside to going with a 25. 28s may or may not fit, they're pretty nice if they do. Note that some 25s run large - I have Michelin Pro4 Endurance tires in 700x25 on two of my bikes and they run 26+mm wide on one set of wheels and 27+mm on the other. The 23mm version of this tire runs right at 23mm, though.

Also note that if a tire gives a lousy ride in the 23mm version, it's going to give a lousy ride in the 25mm version too.

Paul Barnard

There can be quite a bit of variation from one manufacturer to the next. My Panaracer Ribmo 28s are massive compared to my Bontrager Hard Case 28s.

OP, take a look at the Bontrager Hard Case line of tires. I have them on several bikes and like the feel and durability. The puncture protection system is a very good one. Thei 28s run small and fit on my road bike with room to spare.

Mayberry32

Thanks. I figured I may be overthinking it. The article above seemed very definitive that a 25c tire on my wheelset was the absolute wrong move, though. So, I thought I'd ask. The 24's that are on the bike ride well and have taken some abuse with no punctures or flats so far. I've ridden some rough country roads, hit a few holes and even finished 7 miles or so of a ride in a torrential downpour with limbs, etc floating across the road. They have been great. I'll mount these 25's and see how they roll. Thanks again.

PepeM

I have yet to see a tire model where there was a price difference between the 23 and the 25 version.